• The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will host the inaugural Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) in November 2025.
• The conclave is expected to replace the historic Indian Science Congress (ISC), signaling a major shift in India’s scientific engagement.
• It will bring together leading scientists, technologists, and innovators from India and abroad to deliberate on frontier research and technological breakthroughs.
• The ISC, established before India’s independence, was once the nation’s premier scientific congregation, attracting Nobel Laureates and the Prime Minister’s participation.
• However, in recent years its influence has waned. The event was cancelled in 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic, and in 2023 the Prime Minister attended only virtually. Disagreements between DST and the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) led to cancellations in 2024 and 2025, with DST withdrawing financial support.
• Alongside this transition, the India International Science Festival (IISF), launched in 2015, continues to function as a mass outreach platform.
• Organised by government science departments and Vijnana Bharti, it focuses on popularising science among students and youth but lacks global scientific participation and the prestige once associated with the ISC.
• By launching ESTIC, the government aims to create a world-class scientific forum that not only highlights India’s research strengths but also fosters international collaboration in emerging areas of science and technology.